Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd forcefully rebutted media reports claiming he and other Florida sheriffs are opposing mass deportation efforts, holding up printed signs during a Tuesday news conference to directly challenge headlines alleging a “rebellion” against policies advanced by President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Judd, who chairs the State Immigration Enforcement Council,…
Information has surfaced that aerospace startup Stoke Space is preparing to launch its fully reusable Nova rocket from historic Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the same pad that sent John Glenn into orbit in 1962 and unused for launches since 1966. According to recent accounts, the Kent, Washington-based company has revitalized…
Florida Highway Patrol’s Criminal Alien Apprehension Team (CAAT), in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), apprehended 15 individuals unlawfully present in the United States during a targeted enforcement operation in Key Largo on March 9. The operation, part of the ongoing Operation Tidal Wave, resulted in the arrests of nationals from Cuba, El…
As questions arise about the levels of “sunshine” in Tallahassee, the Florida Legislature has approved House Bill 1329, a transparency measure championed by Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, requiring cities and counties to post detailed budgets, employee salaries, and related financial information online in standardized, easily accessible formats for public review. The bill, sponsored by…
The Florida Legislature has passed a bill mandating that counties, municipalities, special districts and other local governments accept electronic payments—including credit cards, debit cards and electronic funds transfers—for taxes, fees, fines, civil penalties and court-ordered obligations, while also requiring online payment options. The measure, carried as House Bill 967 by Rep. James Buchanan, R-Tarpon Springs,…
President Donald Trump said he would “certainly consider” offering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a position in his administration once DeSantis completes his final term as governor. Trump made the comment when reporters asked whether he might give DeSantis a job in the administration. “ I don’t know, but I’d certainly consider it,” Trump replied. “I…
The Florida House on Thursday approved a measure allowing the state to designate domestic terrorist organizations, imposing stricter penalties and restrictions, after concurring with Senate amendments. Lawmakers voted 80-25, largely along party lines, to pass HB 1471, titled “Systems of Law and Terrorist Organizations.” The Senate had previously approved its version 25-11. The bill now…
Sebring International Raceway has announced plans host their 75th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20, 2027, launching a year-long celebration with the unveiling of a commemorative logo. The logo incorporates two parallel blue racing stripes on a white background—evoking the iconic livery of early 1950s American race cars—positioned behind…
The Florida Senate passed a major election integrity bill Thursday, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and tightening voter ID rules at polling places. The measure, HB 991, cleared on a party-line 27-12 vote. Republicans framed it as closing potential vulnerabilities in election security. Sen. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach), the Senate sponsor, said:…
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas on Friday held up Lee County school leadership as a statewide model for improving struggling schools, praising Superintendent Denise Carlin as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two major education bills into law. Kamoutsas specifically spotlighted Carlin’s work with the Lee County School Board to secure pay raises for teachers in the…
